Beginnings

Where do beginnings really begin anyways?
I laugh at myself every time I think about the triumphs, the tribulations, and the treasures in my life when I am surprised by them. Why am I surprised? I think that I so quickly forget that this life, my beautiful, magical and absolutely crazy life, isn't mine to plan. I can be a good steward of it, I can not be lazy and live in it with gratitude and glory to spare, but I can't tell it which path IS the only one I will take. What human always sticks to the plans anyways? ;)



So being prayerful, I choose one. I choose one that settles my heart, settles my mind, and gives my spirit peace. Sometimes, you just have to trust that it is the right path. With this new beginning and this direction I have chose, I feel secure enough to tell you that I am safe in the path I am walking, but time and plans can show us that.

When I said yes to Billy when he asked me to marry him, I immediately thought "what a beautiful beginning for us". And it is! We are jumping full on into this exciting and new life, together, as a team. Where was the beginning though? The versions of when the beginning of our life together is are endless, but I know one thing, I feel moved and honored that we are chosen to do this together.

We have learned so much, and we have given so much. We have given up anything that we couldn't do alone to a Higher and much more powerful provider, and in turn I love the outcome. Without idolization of each other, or jealousy, or unrighteous anger... we get to start watering this beginning, this seed of our future with trust, honor, and an immense amount of love. That, my friends, is worth caring for!
Our journey feels like this innocent, but awesome picture of us growing out of the soil. Our soil feels like we have been watered with so much good. The good comes from the blessings of our friends and family, to the kindness we show each other. Our relationship with each other (and with God) reap the benefits of our good and healthy. The stronger we are, the stronger and greener we'll grow. And the stronger we grow, the stronger we grow with our community, with our families, with our lives apart and together. To me, it's an amazing and exciting discovery.

And so the proposal? Everyone should know how much I love that fiancee of mine. We had the time of our life when I was in Korea. Despite anything we struggled with in terms of the government and neighboring countries (hope you keep up on the news!) we grew so much together and I haven't laughed that hard, in a long time.

We went out to a really nice dinner when we were finally lifted from the lock down, we were thrilled to get out. We talked about our lives, where they were going, what we want, and so on. When Billy and I talked about marriage and starting this big adventure together, I wasn't nervous in the slightest. I knew that I had someone sitting across from me that cares about me so much, so genuinely.
When I got to San Francisco, I called Billy to tell him I had landed safely. He asked how my flight was, how I was doing, and when I would be home. I told him I had a feeling I would stay in San Francisco for some of the day, but I would go home late afternoon, early evening. He asked me to call when I got home, of course I agreed, not very suspicious. I shopped with his parents around San Francisco, missing him but being grateful to be safe and having the quality time with Debbie and Travis. Later that afternoon, Billy called again to see if I was on the way home, and I told him I still was gone. I laughed because it surprised me that he was calling to check in, but still, I wasn't suspecting much.

I got back to Billy's parents house and I called Billy to tell him I was home, he and I had a round about discussion and finally, I started to get the hints...

I found a card in my backpack that was the dead give away. I was about to get myself into a whole lot of surprise!

Before I knew it, I was being whisked away in my fairy tale, and never the way I imagined it. Billy had been given a ring, from his family, as a gift to me. An absolute surprise for me, but I could have never imagined a better one. Although Billy had a ring to get me on his own, it isn't quite here yet, and his family completely blessed us with a treasure from them... a piece of them that is absolutely irreplaceable. Since the other ring wasn't there yet, he didn't get to propose in Korea, but his parents gave him this beautiful gift, and the fact that he was able to share that with me, and his parents, when I got home was beautiful. And, it was such an ease to the sadness I felt to missing him. At his parents house the ring was waiting for me with this beautiful surprise. I was explained that this was mine, for me to have. Even when my new ring arrives, I have been so blessed to have something incredible to cherish about this day. There is not much more special than that. While skyping with him in squeals, tears, and excitement, I was completely poured into by Billy; I was showered with love a declaration of trust, and the utmost commitment.


I am eager to share how special I think he is, and how excited I am that God continues to do His things, and lines us up to do his will! I love thinking about what is in store, and where we are headed!

There are plenty of other little details that I have not included in here a) for length reasons, sheesh! and b) because really, it is so fun to tell in person to get all the "he said" & "she said".
But, those of you interested I will definitely give you that visit, phone call, or skype date.

Again, this is something I never thought that I could experience. I was that young girl that cried to my mom because I thought I would never get married. I cannot wait for this upcoming year, and to continue to share my blessings with you. I feel like I have more to be thankful for, more to be grateful for, than I could ever mention in a paragraph.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read the updates of my life... each one of you are so incredible to me, and to the both of us, for making this time in our lives as special as it is. I CHERISH YOU!